All schools in Upshur County will close at 1 p.m. today. All B-UHS sporting events today are canceled.

Fred W. Eberle Technical Center students shine at state SkillsUSA competition

Cosmetology students (left to right) Melissa Williams, Natasha Quinn, and Emily Smith
Cosmetology students (left to right) Melissa Williams, Natasha Quinn, and Emily Smith

BUCKHANNON, W.Va. — Students from Fred W. Eberle Technical Center participated in the West Virginia State SkillsUSA Contest on Friday, March 26. SkillsUSA is a national organization of students, instructors, and industry professionals who are involved in career and technical education. Secondary and post-secondary students from FETC’s Carpentry, Cosmetology, Electrical Technology, and Information Technology programs competed in a local SkillsUSA contest earlier this school year.

Local winners from FETC then had the opportunity to be participants in the state SkillsUSA contest, which was administered across the state of West Virginia on March 26.

During the virtual competitions, which were held remotely this year due to COVID-19 safety protocols, students went head-to-head with local contest winners from other CTE centers in the state.

Updated with the state competition results that were announced April 1:

  • Cedric Grace: Gold medal in Electrical Construction Wiring
  • Tyler Dunn: Silver medal in Electrical Construction Wiring
  • Natasha Quinn: Silver medial in Esthetics
  • Emily Smith: Bronze medal in Cosmetology
  • Jordan Wills: Silver medal in Information Technology Services (Post-secondary)
  • Christopher Burkhammer: Silver medal in Information Technology Services (Secondary)
  • Sean Fitzsimmons: Silver medal in Carpentry (Post-secondary)
  • Michael Riley: Silver medal in Carpentry (Secondary)

FETC’s local contest winners were as follows:

Carpentry

  • Michael Riley (Secondary Carpentry)
  • Shawn Fitzsimmons (Post-Secondary Carpentry)

Cosmetology

  • Emily Smith (Secondary Cosmetology)
  • Emma Louk (Post-Secondary Nails)
  • Natasha Quinn (Post-Secondary Esthetics)
  • Melissa Williams (Post-Secondary Cosmetology)

Electrical Technology

  • Tyler Dunn (Secondary Electrical Construction Wiring)
  • Cedric Grace (Post-Secondary Electrical Construction Wiring)

Information Technology

  • Hunter Burkhammer (Secondary Information Technology Services)
  • Jordan Wells (Post-Secondary Information Technology

Left - Carpentry students Shawn Fitzsimmons and Michael Riley. Right - Electrical Technology students Cedric Grace and Tyler Dunn.
Left – Carpentry students Shawn Fitzsimmons and Michael Riley. Right – Electrical Technology students Cedric Grace and Tyler Dunn.
Left - Information Technology student Jordan Wells. Right - Information Technology student Hunter Burkhammer.
Left – Information Technology student Jordan Wells. Right – Information Technology student Hunter Burkhammer.

Share this story:

Local Businesses

RECENT Stories

Mountain CAP to host free workshop for dads in January

Mountain CAP Family Support Center is hosting a free Key Behaviors Workshop for dads and male caregivers on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Buckhannon.

The Thread Lab opens Main Street storefront in Buckhannon for custom embroidery and apparel

The Thread Lab has opened a Main Street storefront in Buckhannon, giving customers an easier way to shop and order custom embroidered and personalized apparel. General manager Ashley Marple said a grand opening is planned after the holidays.

WVU doctors warn of whooping cough surge in West Virginia, highest in 15 years

West Virginia is experiencing its highest number of whooping cough cases since 2010, with WVU doctors warning about symptoms and risks. Untreated, the infection can linger for months.

Thomas “Tom” Jesse Riley

Thomas “Tom” Jesse Riley, 71, of Buckhannon, WV, a longtime trucker and owner of Riley Trucking and Repair, died December 19, 2025, and is survived by his wife Mary Ann, five children, grandchildren and siblings.

Michele Lynn Mellon

Michele Lynn Mellon, 78, of Buckhannon, West Virginia, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and Hallmark employee who loved faith, family and handwritten cards, died peacefully at home after an injury and subsequent stroke.

Leadership Upshur selects Appalachian Impact’s new interactive children’s museum on Main Street for its volunteer service project

Leadership Upshur is dedicating its volunteer service project to Appalachian Impact, helping prepare the group’s new Main Street children’s museum. The team plans to provide hands-on labor, raise funds for supplies and recruit business sponsors for interactive exhibits.

A small light can overcome great darkness: Buckhannon marks Hanukkah with menorah lighting ceremony

More than 100 people gathered Wednesday evening for a Hanukkah menorah lighting ceremony, with Mayor Robbie Skinner and organizer Daya Wright highlighting faith and perseverance. The night ended with the menorah lit in Jawbone Park, plus donuts, hot cider and dreidels.

Flame Detailing opens in Buckhannon just in time for winter salt season

Flame Detailing is officially open in Buckhannon, with owners Shane Jenkins and Blake Rasnake celebrating with a ribbon cutting Friday. The shop offers everything from quick hand washes to full details with ceramic coating to help protect vehicles this winter.

Shannon Danielle Marteney McDaniels

Shannon Danielle Marteney McDaniels, 55, of Buckhannon, died December 17, 2025, and is survived by her husband Brian McDaniels, mother Linda Rohr Marteney, three children, a granddaughter, close friend Maranda Marin, and her dogs, with a celebration of life set for December 27.